Ireland have done well in the first 10 overs as they kept a lid on the scoring and took two wickets of Sri Lanka restricting them to 68/2 in the first 10 overs. Ireland after the first two overs came back and bowled with disciplined and put the brakes on Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka looked nervous and are finding it tough out there. They have a lot of work to do now.
Mark Adair got rid of Kamil Mishara while George Dockrell removed Nissanka as well. Ireland bossing the game at the moment. Sri Lanka have to dig deep to come out of this trouble and do well as well. The pitch looks decent but the Lankans look nervous at the moment.
Mark Adair provides the breakthrough as he removes Kamil Mishara.Â
Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara got Sri Lanka off to a fine start as they scored freely in the initial overs. Adair was hit for runs initially and then McCarthy also came in and he too went for runs as well. Sri Lanka were off to a flier as they reached 27 in 3 overs. The Lankans reached 28 in 3.5 overs before Adair removed Mishara for 14 off 11 balls with 2 fours to his name.
Adair bowled a slower ball on a length that moved away from the left-hander. Mishara hung back and attempted to hit through the line and looked to go over mid-off. The ball stopped on him and the false shot was induced and it went straight up in the air as McCarthy took the catch at mid-off as the batters scored 14 off 11 balls. Kusal Mendis came to the crease next.
Nissanka smashed a maximum off Humphreys. Kusal took on Barry and hit him for boundaries at will like two boundaries in three balls. Mendis finished the powerplay with another boundary as Sri Lanka reached 50/1 in 6 overs at the end of the powerplay and were well-placed.
George Dockrell removes Pathum Nissanka.Â
George Dockrell came into the attack post the powerplay and bowled a quiet over. Gareth Delany came into the attack as well. He too kept the things tight and not giving anything away. Sri Lanka reached 61/1 in 8 overs and 62/1 in 8.1 overs when Dockrell got his first wicket of the night. He removed Pathum Nissanka for 24 off 23 balls with one four and one six to his name.
Dockrell bowled it full and tossed up outside the off-stump, Nissanka looked to drive through covers but failed to keep it down. The ball went flat and hard to the left of Paul Stirling who kept his eyes on the ball and took a fine low catch inches from the ground as Nissanka fell after getting a start of 24 off 23 balls. Pavan Rathnayake came out to bat next and got off the mark soon.
Delany bowled another tight over and kept things tight as Sri Lanka reached 68/2 in 10 overs with Kusal Mendis on 23* off 18 balls and Pavan Rathnayake on 5* off 8 balls. Sri Lanka with all to do as Ireland were on top at this stage the halfway stage of the game.
What Lies Ahead.Â
So, Sri Lanka are on the back foot in Colombo and Ireland are bossing this game. More wickets they take the better it is for them. Sri Lanka needs partnership and acceleration to come back in the game. This looks tough for the Lankan Lions. Ireland is looking good out there in the middle.
Also Read:Â ICC T20 WC 2026: Sam Curran Holds His Nerve To Win 4 Win Thriller